Kootenay

Renovation and Retrofit of Existing Social Housing

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

As of February 1, 2010, CMHC is accepting applications from eligible project sponsors for the remaining $75 million funding for year two. Sponsor groups can apply online or through the mail. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.



Sponsoring agency: CMHC
Type of agency: Federal government

Eligibility


Application deadline

February 22, 2010

Application procedure

Apply online or download the application here.

Contact information



Solar BC Incentive

SolarBC contractors will provide you with a $2,000 discount at the point of sale of your solar hot water system. Or, rather than the full $2,000 from SolarBC, you can apply for a Zero Interest Loan and receive a smaller discount.

Sponsoring agency: Solar BC
Type of agency: Provincial government

Eligibility

Use the online SolarRating tool to find out how suitable your home is for solar hot water.

Restrictions

The SolarBC Residential Project offers incentives only for systems installed by registered installers. Read more about Choosing a Registered Installer.

Contact information

Telephone: 1 866 650 6527


Terasen Gas Efficient Boiler Program

Teresan Gas is offering assistance in selecting an efficient boiler configuration for your project. This program is accessible to commercial building owners, developers, consulting engineers or contractors’ for installing or upgrading to condensing or near-condensing boilers. The program is offering cash rebates of up to 75% of the purchase price premium.

Sponsoring agency: Terasen Gas
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

To qualify for assistance in selecting an efficient boiler configuration for your project and financial incentives for installing or upgrading to condensing or near-condensing boiler you must be a commercial building owner, developer, consulting engineer or contractor. For more information please visit the Terasen Gas website.

Application procedure

Vist the Terasen Gas Efficient Bolier Program webpage for details. New Construction Application Form Replacement Market Application Form

Contact information

Telephone: 1-888-477-0777


Light Commercial EnergyStar® Boiler Program

Terasan Gas is offering cash rebates of up to $1,495.00, if you’re building, converting or upgrading a small building you may qualify by installing an Energy Star condensing or near-condensing boiler sized up to 299 MBH. Rebates for new construction will be available to the builder/developer, and conversion and retrofit rebates will be available to the end customer, account holder, or building owner, as reflected on their Terasen Gas account.

Sponsoring agency: Terasen Gas
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

If you're building, converting or upgrading your heating system, you may qualify for a cash rebate of up to $1,495 by installing an ENERGY STAR condensing or near-condensing boiler sized up to 299 MBH.

Typically this would apply to someone who:
  • owns a small commercial building
  • owns or manages a small (5-20 units) rental or strata multi-family dwelling
  • is a commercial developer or builder
  • has a long-term lease for a commercial enterprise
  • The facility where the boiler is installed must in the Terasen Gas service territories of the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Squamish, Interior of BC, Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast. This program is not offered in Whistler.
  • The facility where the boiler is installed must use natural gas purchased according to one of the following Terasen Gas Rate Schedules: 2, 2U, 3, 3U, 5, 23, 25, AGS, SCS-1, SCS-2 or LCS-1.
  • Rebates are available for multiple boilers in a single facility.
To qualify, installed boilers must be:
  • Installed on or after January 1, 2009;
  • Energy Star boilers (near-condensing boilers rated 85% AFUE or higher, or condensing boilers rated 90% AFUE or higher);
  • With input rating of up to 299,000 Btu/hr. Modular boiler size is based on individual boiler module.
  • Used for space heating, domestic water heating (in combination with space heating), process load, or a combination of these;
  • Not be used for exclusive pool heating or snow melting, unless boiler also serves heating load as main service; and
  • Installed by a BC Safety Authority registered gas contractor and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification and must comply with applicable laws, codes, standards and ordinances.
  • The rebate is independent of the price of boilers or the total cost of the mechanical system. The program does not include any additional rebate or incentive for labour, vent modifications, piping changes, design calculations, or other equipment.

Restrictions

  • Terasen Gas may amend, modify or terminate this program at any time based on funding limitations or for any other reason, without notice.
  • Terasen Gas may accept applications up to 90 days after closing the program, but in no event will it accept applications received more than 90 days after the closing the program.
  • Applicant acknowledges that by taking part in the program, their boiler may use less natural gas and produce fewer emissions. Applicant agrees that Terasen Gas may record any resulting reductions in emissions along with those of participating customers and credit them to the Terasen Gas Greenhouse Gas Management Program.
  • Terasen Gas will have no ownership interest in the boiler.
  • Terasen Gas, not being the designer or manufacturer of the boiler, makes no representation or warranty, express or implied as to the fitness, design or capability of the material, equipment or workmanship of the boiler, nor any warranty that the boiler will satisfy the requirements of any law, specification, or contract.
  • The applicant is solely responsible for any tax liability imposed as a result of payment of the rebate.
  • The program is independent of other incentives and rebates by Terasen Gas and/or other utilities, manufacturers, or government incentive programs or grants.
  • Rebates cannot be assigned or transferred to another recipient.
  • In applying for this offer, please be aware that Terasen Gas or one of its agents may contact you in the future to participate in a survey about this offer.
  • Applicant acknowledges and agrees that Terasen Gas may randomly draw applications for on-site audits to ensure stated natural gas appliances are installed and to grant Terasen Gas reasonable access for these audits.
  • For more details on the rebates, warranties, please read the programs term & conditions here.

Application procedure

• To be eligible for the rebate, the participant must return a copy of the completed Application form and a copy of the invoice and/or work order that contains the date of installation and details of all work performed, including the make and model number of the boiler, the gas permit number and if applicable, a copy of the approval certificate and Certificate of Inspection from the BC Safety Authority.

Contact information

Telephone: 1-888-477-0777


BC Hydro Project Implementation Funding

Implementation Funding is available to large commercial, government and institutional customers to reduce the capital cost of implementing electrical energy efficiency projects.

Implementation Funding is designed to allow customers to meet internal hurdle rates, such as payback periods and return on investment. Through the Power Smart Partner Program, you could receive funding for up to 60% of the incremental cost of lighting, mechanical, HVAC and other energy efficiency projects. The funding level is also based on a tiered approach, meaning projects that were previously too costly may now be eligible for richer incentives.



Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

Commercial, government and institutional customers are eligible for Implementation Funding under the Power Smart Partner program if the project
  • saves a minimum of 100,000 kWh/year (or 50,000 kWh for mechanical or HVAC only projects) by implementing a proven energy saving technology, where the project performance is measurable and sustainable. You can bundle projects from different sites with different end-uses in order to qualify for funding.
  • Is hardwired or permanent in nature, and has a simple payback of greater than two years before factoring in the incentive amount.

Application procedure

  1. Submit an Implementation Funding application and proposal.
    A BC Hydro Energy Study is acceptable as a proposal, and is eligible to be fully funded by BC Hydro upon project completion.
  2. BC Hydro will review the application and issue an Incentive Agreement upon approval.
  3. You sign the agreement and implement the project.
  4. Once the project has been implemented, submit the required completion documents.
  5. Upon project approval, you will be issued the incentive payment.

Please note that any component of the project cannot be initiated without an Incentive Agreement in place with BC Hydro. If the project has started prior to an Incentive Agreement, it will not be eligible for any incentives from BC Hydro.

To find out more about Implementation Funding, contact your BC Hydro Key Account Manager, call 1 866 522 4713 or visit www.bchydro.com/business.





BC Hydro Power Smart New Homes Program

The most cost-effective way to save energy in the home is to design with energy efficiency in mind. Our New Home Program encourages builders and developers to build an energy-efficient home – a Power Smart home. Working with builders and developers, BC Hydro Power Smart wants to create homes that cost less to operate and are more comfortable places to live.

Builders who build to Power Smart New Home standards receive:
  • Financial incentives* for the home’s EnerGuide rating and the installation of ENERGY STAR appliances
  • Promotional opportunities and funding
  • Power Smart branding for the home


Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility

The Power Smart New Home Program is designed for residential builders and developers of single family homes, town homes, or qualifying low-rise multi-family residential buildings.


Application procedure

  1. Conduct a pre-construction evaluation.
    Get house plans evaluated by a Certified Energy Advisor who will make recommendations to increase the performance rating of the home.
  2. Construct the home(s).
  3. Conduct a post-construction verification.
    After construction, a blower door test is conducted by the Certified Energy Advisor to verify the air changes per hour (ACH), which is inputted into the software program for a final performance rating.
  4. Apply for incentives and a Power Smart label. The home receives a Power Smart label when an EGNH 77 rating or higher is achieved.
    • To submit to BC Hydro, download and complete the application form:
    • Application forms can be mailed to:
      Power Smart New Home Program
      900-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4T8
    • After processing the application form, incentives will be paid to the builder.

    A Power Smart New Home representative can discuss energy-efficient design and products with you. Contact us for more information. Our representatives will provide you with all the information you need to participate.



Contact information



Vancity Eco-Efficiency Loan

To help you finance your energy improvements and start saving energy now, take advantage of Vancity’s Eco Efficiency business loan, which offers:

  • A preferred rate on your loan
  • Loans of up to $250,000
  • Financing for up to 100% of your capital upgrades
  • Flexible repayment terms to help you manage cash flow
Vancity’s Eco Efficiency loan for businesses and not-for-profit organizations offers extended amortization, aiming to match your monthly energy savings to your monthly loan payments. That way you can choose energy-savings solutions without feeling the pinch on your monthly operating budget.



Sponsoring agency: Vancity
Type of agency: Financial institution

Eligibility

Vancity’s Eco-Efficiency loan is available to businesses, not-for-profit organizations, housing co-operatives and property-managed stratas.

Application procedure

Contact your Account Manager, visit your local branch, or contact greenbusiness@vancity.com.

Contact information



Vancity Community Project Grants

Community project grants provide up to $10,000 for projects that focus on acting on climate change, facing poverty and growing the social economy. Applications that demonstrate work in two or more of these areas are preferred, as are those that focus resources specifically at marginalized people (including Aboriginal people, immigrants, refugees and people with low incomes). As a general principle, Vancity seeks to support marginalized individuals and groups to participate in decision-making and program development and delivery on the issues that affect and concern them the most.

Sponsoring agency: VanCity
Type of agency: Financial institution

Program offerings

Grants are awarded three (3) times per year. Vancity requires grant recipients to submit a final grant report 30 days after the completion of their project.

Eligibility


Application deadline

The 2009 granting deadlines are closed. The 2010 grant guidelines, criteria, application and deadlines will be posted December 1, 2009.

Application procedure

Please contact the senior coordinator in your region for more information.

Contact information



SolarBC Social Housing Program

SolarBC’s Social Housing program is funded by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resourses and delivered in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada’s federal ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program. This collaboration provides a one-stop service to B.C. applicants who plan to install a qualifying solar water system at an eligible property. For social housing providers, SolarBC incentive matches the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat incentive to a maximum of $40,000.

Sponsoring agency: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Natural Resources Canada
Type of agency: Federal government Provincial government

Eligibility

Affordable and social housing owners and operators in B.C. including not-for-profit social housing entities who qualify for a financial incentive for the installation of a solar water system under the federal ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program is eligible for the SolarBC program.To qualify for the SolarBC program, an applicant must first be approved for a Contribution Agreement under the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program.

Application procedure

An applicant must submit to NRCan:

Both federal and provincial forms must be submitted together to ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat.

N.B.: An applicant does not have to submit any information to SolarBC.

For more information about this program, please contact: nharris@solarbc.ca

For ecoEnergy Program Eligibility and Qualifying Products, please contact: email: ecoenergyrhp@nrcan.gc.ca or fax: 1-613-943-6517.



Contact information



CMHC Seed Funding

The successful development of housing requires appropriate skills, expertise and commitment. Proponents need to be organized, and must know how to evaluate housing need and demand in their community, and how to obtain the money and other resources to make their proposed housing project a reality. CMHC Seed Funding provides proponents with financial assistance to carry out these initial activities.

Sponsoring agency: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Type of agency: Federal government

Program offerings

The maximum amount of Seed Funding is $20,000 per housing project proposal to carry out eligible activities.
  • Up to $10,000 for a given housing project proposal is in the form of a grant, with no repayment required.
  • An additional amount — up to $10,000 — may be made available in the form of an interest-free loan, which is repayable if the housing project proceeds.
  • If the proposal does not result in the production of housing, the repayable portion of the Seed Funding may be forgiven by CMHC.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Seed Funding, your proposed housing project must be affordable

You intend to produce a rental housing project in which most of the units will have rents within CMHC’s Affordability Criteria. (CMHC can provide you with the Affordability Criteria in the community where you intend to produce housing that meet this guideline.)

OR

You intend to produce a homeowner project in which the units will be modest and the purchase prices will be below the market for units of a similar type, size and number of bedrooms in the subject housing market.


Application procedure


Contact information



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